Rotary baler improvement



Nov. 20, 1962 u. F. LUEBBEN ROTARY BALER IMPROVEMENT original Filed Feb. 21, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. .//A//Ma afa/95N.

Nov. 20, 1962 u. F. LUEBBEN 3,064,556

ROTARY BALEZR IMPROVEMENT Original Filed Feb. 2l, 1951 Y Sheets-Shree?l 2 Nov. .20, ,1962 u. F. LUE-BBEN ROTARY ABALERlIIVIPRCWEMENT `7 ivSheetsSheet :3

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1 IN VEN TOR. l/m'ma.' webbe/2 Nov. 20, 111962 u. F. LUEBBEN 3,064,556

i `ROTARY BALER IMPROVEMENT Original Filed Feb. 21, I1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 [gi 53o" 524 a 62o 450", 38o

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Nov. 20, 1962 U. F. Lul-:BEEN

ROTARY BALER IMPROVEMENT 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 21, 1951 INVENTOR.

Y Nov. 20, 1962 u. F. Lul-:BEEN

ROTARY BALER IMPROVEMENT 'f sheets-sheet e Original Filed Feb. 2l, 1951 u Y v INVENTOR.

m@ Uebb Nov. 20, 1962 U. F. LUEBBEN 3,064,556

ROTARY BALER IMPROVEMENT Original Filed Feb. 2l, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V EN TOR. UVM@ U5/955m United States Estant 3,054,556 Patented Nov. 20, 1952 3,064,55 ROTARY BALER IMPRVEMENT Ummo F. Lnebben, deceased, late of rnaha, Nebr., by Promoting Enduring Peace, Inc., West Haven, Conn., and Robert Schaikenbach Foundation, New York, FLY., and Emily Lneblren, incompetent, by Roman L. Hinsha, rnaha, Nebr., guardian, and American Friends Service Committee, Philadelphia, Pa., and P/Iadeiine Kavanagh, Anaheim, Calif., heirs Continuation of application Ser. No. 212,005, Feb. 2i, 1951. This application Nov. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 694,896

S tliaims. (Cl. Q-5) This invention relates to rotary balers such as are used in the baling of compressible substances such as straw, cotton, corn stalks, hay and the like, and more particularly to pick up rotary hay balers.

Particular objects of the invention are to provide improvements in the rotary balers of the type described in two previous patents issued to U. F. Luebben, both titled, Rotary Baler, one being numbered 2,336,491, issued December 14, 1943, and the other being numbered 2,096,990, issued October 26, 1937.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement upon the Wrapping mechanism of said Patent #2,336,491 and, more particularly, improvement upon the wrapping mechanism of the patent issued to P. H. Harrer, titled, Baling Machine, numbered 2,424,821, issued iuly 29, 1947.

A primary object of this invention is to lessen the time of wrapping the bale.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby there will be no loss of time or uncertainty in the catching of the string on the bale and the wrapping ofthe bale.

Yet a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a more eiiicient and certain Wrapping mechanism whereby the operator need not give the machine the close attention and manual action previously necessary.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a much simpler mechanism that is less likely to fail, is more accessible, and has more simpliied adjustments than heretofore.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide means for wrapping twine spirally from eachend of a bale to its center for providing a more tightly and uniformly wrapped bale.

Yet a further object of the invention is to increase the capacity of the baler oy reducing the time of wrapping the bale, by avoiding interruptions, and by providing a more dependable machine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is adapted to make bales with both ends securely wrapped rather than bales which are more loosely wrapped on one end than on the other, as in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack bar mechanism for transferring motion to the string guiding tubes.

Y et another object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism for maintaining the tube-elevating mechanism in operation and trip means for releasing said lock means at proper times.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a more eicient and more certainly operating string-cutting mechanism and one in which the string is caused to be drawn taut during longitudinal and transverse travel over a cutting edge which is inclinedly disposed with respect to both transverse and longitudinal movements of said string.

Another object is to provide centrally located knives disposed in V-shaped position, each approximately at a 45-degree angle with respect to the direction of transverse travel of the twine providing a more lasting and certain cutting of the twine.

Another object is to provide a swingable V-shaped guard over the knives to prevent the twines from contacting the knives at final wrapping until an extra amount of twine has been wrapped about the center of the bale and to cause the twines to bend and to be in great tension for a snapping and angular contact with the knives when the guard is removed.

Another object is to provide a guard over the knives to prevent the twines from being cut before the wrapping mechanism has returned to its original seated position of rest; and thereupon the guard being suddenly removed for a most effective and simultaneous cutting of both twines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clutch mechanism of improved and safer construction for transferring the motion of moving parts of the baler to a de.- livery conveyor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch as described which holds the conveyor from reversing direction or going forwardly when operatively disengaged and thus prevents hay or straw from unloading between the conveyor pick-up and the ground.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a slip-clutch as described for providing a safety-slip in case a rock or stick becomes caught in the conveyor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable, gradually-engaging, friction clutch employing resilient means for providing proper frictional driving contact.

Rotary balers of the prior art have had a disadvantage in that when the wrapping has begun, hay sometimes tangled and nevertheless continues to be pulled in, pulling the conveyor with it. This is true for the reason that the conveyor is free to move, when operatively disengaged, thus wrapping the hay on top of the twine.

It is, therefore, another and important object of this invention to lock the conveyor when operatively disengaged, so that the mechanism cannot travel backward or forward.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

This application is a continuation of the applicants co,- pending patent aplication Serial No. 212,005, filed February 21, 1951, now abandoned.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side view of the new improved mecha nism. The dotted line portion relates to what has already been patented. The string tubes are not shown in this view.

FGURE 2 is a front view of the new mechanism, with certain parts broken away.

FIGURE 3 is a portion of the string tubes taken along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the wrapping control mechanism.

FGURE 5 is a front view of the wrapping control mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a view-in-section taken along 6 6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a view-in-section taken along 7 7 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is a view-in-section taken along the line S- of FIGURE 4.

the line the line FIGURE 9 is a top View of the baling belt and feed roll shields.

FIGURE 10 is a front view ofthe upper portion of the string tubes.

FIGURE l1 is a right end view of the parts of FIG- URE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a detailed top View of the cutting device.

FIGURE 13 is a detailed front View of the cutting device.

FIGURE 14 is a detailed end view of the cutting device.

FIGURE 15 is a view-in-section taken along the line 15-15 of FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 16 is a side view of the bale size control mechanism.

FIGURE 17 is a frontview of the bale size control mechanism.

FIGURE 18 shows a detailed view of the timing device.

FIGURE 19 is a view-in-section taken along the line 19-19 of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 20 is a front view of the friction clutch.

FIGURE 21 is a sectional view of the friction clutch taken along the line 21-21 of FIGURE 20.

FIGURE 22 is a vieW-in-section taken along the line 22-22 of FIGURE 2l.

FIGURE 23 is a side elevation of the friction clutch of FIGURE 20.

FIGURE 24 is a detailed layout view of one of the inclined lugs of the clutch, the view representing 360 degrees along the opposing clutch faces.

The rotary baler improvements of this invention are particularly adapted for employment in the rotary baler described in the applicants previous patent application Rotary Baler, issued December 14, 1943, Patent No. 2,336,491.

In the drawings, those parts of the baler which are old are shown in dotted lines and are described only briefly here. For more particular description, the reader is referred to the above described patent. The new parts disclosed by this invention are shown, together with the frame of the machine, in full lines.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the baler of this invention includes a frame generally indicated at 10 and having upright back members 12, horizontal bottom frame members 14, horizontal top frame members 14, horizontall top frame members 16, and transverse bracing members 18.

The frame is provided with an axle housing 19, shown in FIGURE 1, having an aXle 20 indicated in dotted lines. The axle 20 is for the purpose of supporting wheels indicated at 22. A towing tongue 23 is secured to the axle housing 19 by means of a bolt 24 and brackets 26.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a conveyor, generally indicated at 40, is there shown in dotted lines and includes a conveyor belt 42 having ights 44 for conveying hay upwardly toward the left hand side of the baler. The baler further includes a roller 48 attached to a driving pulley 50 by means of a shaft 52 and a clutch mechanism later described and including a notch-wheel 53. The pulley 50 is drivably secured by means of a belt 54 to a pulley 56, which latter is disposed on the upper end shaft 60 of the conveyor belt 42. The conveyor belt 42 is driven by Vthe pulley 52 at times later described.

A belt, or series of side-by-side spaced apart belts, 70 are disposed around the drum 48 and also around a trip roller 72 shown in dotted lines on the right hand side of FIGURE 1. The trip roller 72 is mounted upon a lower tension-roller-arm 74 and the latter extends to the left hand side of the machine in a manner later described.

The belt 70 travels in the direction of the arrows 76 and is disposed about a further trip roller S0. Between the rollers 48 and 80 the belt is pressed downwardly, at times, in a concave shape by a roll, indicated in dotted lines at S4.

The above described parts are all old in the art and we will continue with a description of other parts shown -n the previous patents.

The machine includes an upper belt which travels in the direction of arrows 92 about rollers 96, 98, and 100. The roller 160 is disposed upon an upper tension-rollerarm and the latter is pivotally secured to the frame member 18 by a pin 112. The roller 9S shall be referred to as the upper drive roller.

The reader is referred to the previous patents for further description of those parts shown in dotted lines. A very brief description of the operation of the parts shown in dotted lines will suffice here.

Briefly, the hay feeds upwardly from the conveyor 40 and is compressed into a mat between a compressing or feed roller and the roller 48. The compression is regulated by a spring mechanism 132. It will be understood that as the roll 84 is formed by the oppositely moving belts 70 and 9G, the'roll enlarges and the trip rollers 80 and 96 move from positions closely adjacent the rollers 48 and 9S to positions more toward the right hand side of the machine as shown in FIGURE l.

When the roll nears its predetermined size, the string is wrapped spirally from one end to the other about the roll by mechanisms to be later described.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the trip rollers 86 and 96 are then caused to spread apart and move in the arcuate paths toward the left hand side of the machine and around the circumference of the bale 84 to their original position. The bale is thus discharged out of the right hand side of the machine.

It will be seen that the belt 90 is in a concave shape between the rollers 96 and 98 and that the belt 70 has a concave shape between the roller 89 and the drum 48 whereby these concave portions of the belts 71) and 90 define a cylindrical bale wrapping area disposed inwardly of and adjacent to a later described horizontal elongated feeding throat disposed beneath the feed roller 130 and the drum 48, whereby the bale wrapping area so deued has in a sense a horizontal axis.

The mechanisms of this invention, will now be described.

The string-applying mechanism of this invention includes two string tubes 150, best seen in FIGURE 2. It will be understood that in previous patents a single string tube has been employed. The string tubes are adapted to receive strings 154 therethrough. Ends of the strings 154 normally hang downwardly from the free ends of the tubes 150, as seen in FIGURE 2, for engagement in and the wrapping of a hay bale as later described. The strings 154 come from any suitable source of supply to the rollers 158 through guide members 160 mounted on a horizontal frame member 164. The rollers 158 are secured by pins 159 between ears 161 which latter are secured to their respective twine chutes 150.

Each tube 150 is provided with an ear 166 and 16S, respectively, and the latter are pivotally secured by means of pins to a horizontal frame member 174 which latter is spaced downwardly from the frame member 164.

As later described in greater detail, the string tubes 150 move from the vertical positions, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2, inwardly towardfeach other along the arcuate paths indicated in dotted lines at in FIGURE 2 for spirally wrapping a revolving bale first at the outer ends thereof and then gradually to the center thereof.

YThe movement of the tubes 150 is synchronized by a mechanism nowV to be described. Such mechanism includes a rod pivotally secured to the ear 166 by a pin 192 and being pivotally secured to the ear 168 at its other end by a pin 194. The pin 192 is on the normally upper side of the pivot 170 of the ear- 166, whereas the pin 194 is on the normally lower side of the pivot 170 of the ear 16S.

The tubesv 159 are causedto swing outwardly part y under the action of an elongated tension spring 200 and partly by gravity: gravity alone is sufficient,A however` The spring 266 is secured to the horizontal frame member .l74 by means of a rod 202 at any one of a plurality of spaced apart apertures 204. The opposite or right hand end of the spring 2&6, as seen in FIGURE 2, is pivotally secured by means of a rod 206 and bolt 26 to an ear 21@ secured to the right hand tube 150 at a point normally disposed upwardly from the pivot point 170 of the ear 168.

Referring to FIGURE 2, a rod 256 is pivotally secured to the left hand ear 166 by means of a pin 254 on the outer side of the pivot 176l from the pivot 122, whereby downward movement of the rod 259 will cause counter-clockwise movement of the ear 166.

The lower end of the rod 256 is pivotally secured by means of a pin 258 to a selected one of a plurality of apertures 269 in the left hand end of a lever or beam Silit. The beam 30() extends from the right to the left hand side of the machine, as shown in FIGURE 2, and is adapted to pivot at a point between its ends on a iitting 316.

The fitting 316 is provided with two bolts 312 extending therethrough above and below the lever 30%. The bolts 312 are secured together by means of a pair of straps 314 disposed one on each side of the lever 360. The lower bolt 312 functions as a fulcrum for the lever 369, whereby the upper bolt 312 is disposed in a selected one of a row of notches 320 in an elongated stationary member 322 by removing the upper bolt 312 to shift the fitting 310 then replacing the bolt 312 in a different selected notch. The member 322 is secured in any suitable manner to an upright frame member 336 at the left end thereof and is secured to the frame member 174 at the right end thereof by means of a connecting piece 349, indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 2.

The notched member 322 extends at a slant downwardly to its left hand end from its upper right hand end. The right hand end of the lever 306 is attached to tne upper end of an elongated rack bar member 356 by means of a bolt 352 and the rack bar member 350 is provided with a row of notches, some of which are indicated at 369 in FIGURE 4.

The notches 369 extend in a row on the forward side of the rack bar 35% continuously between those notches shown in full lines in FIGURE 4 for purposes of illustration. The rack bar 350 is provided with a guide 376 extending around its forward side and the guide 370 is secured to the lower end of a rack bar carrying member 389. The carrying member 356 is provided with a roller 382 secured to its lower end by means oi a pin 334. The roller 382 is disposed engaging the rearward side of the rack bar 350, whereby the rack bar 354) is free to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the connecting member 381).

The purpose of the notches 36d and the teeth therebetween is to engage a cog 390, partially shown in full lines in FIGURE 4, whereby the cog 390 at times causes the rack bar 350 to move upwardly, as later described.

The carrying member 380 is provided with a slot 409 therethrough and disposed extending at an inclination with respect to the length of the elongated member 386 in a manner whereby the upper end of the slot is disposed closer to the rack 350 than the lower end of the slot 400.

As best seen in FIGURE 4 a bolt 492 is disposed through the slot 499 and has a nut 496 on its outer end of a greater size than the slot 409. 'Ihe inner end of the bolt 402 is secured in any suitable manner to a frame member 419, which latter extends toward the conveyor 40 at one end, and has its other end secured to the said frame member 18, as shown in FIGURE l. It will be seen that when the carrying member 380 is raised, the rack bar 350 will engage the cog 390.

The carrying member 389 is attached at its upper end to a raising lever 429 by means of a pivot pin 422. The pin 422 is disposed at one end of the lever 420. The

6 lever 420 is pivotally secured by means of another pivot pin 430 in its central portion to a frame member 450. The frame member 450 is attached at its upper end to the upper frame member 16 and extends downwardly therefrom, and is secured in any suitable manner, not shown, to the frame member 410 at its lower end.

The opposite end of the raising lever 42u is secured to a coiled tension spring 466 by bolt 462, and the spring extends downwardly to and is secured by bolt 464 to the outer end of a trip lever 479 adapted to rotate about a pivot pin 472, which latter is centrally disposed along the lever 47 0. The inner end of the lever 470 is disposed in a position so as to be engaged by a bolt 480, which is disposed on the outer end of a nib 484. The nib 484 is secured to the right hand ear 16S in a position on the opposite side of the corresponding string tube from the pivot pin of the ear 16S.

It will be seen that as the right hand string tube 150 swings downwardly, its bolt 480 will cause the trip lever 476 to pivot in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG- URE 2, and that this will pull downwardly on the spring 46d and raising lever 420, for raising the carrying member 383, to cause engagement of the rack bar 350` with the cog 390.

A lock lever 56) is provided and is secured by means of a pin 502 to the frame member 450. The lock lever 5611? extends outwardly from the pin 502 alongside the raising lever 42?. The raising lever 42]y is` provided with a bolt St secured to the spring 469 end thereof by means of a transverse portion 510 of the lever 420, which portion extends upwardly therefrom for carrying the substantially horizontally disposed bolt S96.

The bolt 506' is threadedly secured to the portion 516 and is locked in place by a lock nut 512. The bolt 506 is disposed on the other side of the spring 460 from the pivot pin 4343, and the end of 4the =bolt 596 extends inwardly of the carrying lever 42) for engagement with the adjacent outer end of the lock lever 596 at times. It will be seen that when tbe raising lever 420 is pulled downwardly on its left hand end, as seen in FIGURE 4, the lock lever 566 can drop into position by counterclockwise pivoting for engaging the bolt 506 to prevent clockwise rotation of the raising lever 420.

Means are provided for causing the lock lever to be dis-engaged from this position, and such means includes a ramming member 520, which is secured to the raising lever 420 by means of a bolt 524. The ramming member 520 is disposed extending upwardly and downwardly, and its lower end is adapted to be engaged by the right hand end of the lever 300 at times when the said right hand end swings upwardly.

The ramming member 520 is provided with a longitudinal slot 53% therein for receiving the shank of the bolt 524. It will be seen that when the right hand end of the lever 30% moves the ramming member 52) upwardly, the latter will strike a pin 54%) disposed in the lock member 5% for ramming the pin 549 to force the lock lever S upwardly and out of engagement with the bolt 566. A pin 559 is provided extending outwardly from a similar frame member 560 for slidably engaging the ramming member 52@ to hold the latter in place.

The frame member 56) is attached to the frame memer 45d in any suitable manner.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the cog 39d is disposed on a shaft dill) which is rotatably mounted in a frame member 632, which latter is itself secured to the frame member 410. The shaft 66@ is further secured to a pinion 610 partially shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 4 and shown in full lines in FIGURE 2. The pinion 610 is itself drivably secured to a second cog 62? disposed on a shaft 622, which shaft is drivably secured to a previously described roller 98.

The shaft 622 can be seen in FIGURE 7 and also in the approximate center of FIGURE 1, with the cog 629 secured thereto. The shaft 622 is the shaft'of the roller 98, previously described and is constantly in rotation.

The roller 72 moves upwardly as the bale grows larger. This causes the tension arm 74 to rotate counterclockwise about a pin 719 which is mounted on a frame brace web 719', the pin 719 functioning as a pivot similarly to the pivot pin 46 in FIGURE l of Patent No. 2,096,990. An elongated connector bar 710 is fixed to the left-hand end of the tension arm 74 and the connector bar 718 is itself secured at its left end by a pivot pin 714 to an upright member 720. The member 720 is in turn securedv pivotally to an upwardly extending sliding bar 738 by a cotter pin 724. t

As' liest seen in FIGURE 16, the pin 724 is pivotally secured at its' lower end to the frame member 18 by means of a bracket 748 and a bolt 758. A U-shaped bracket 752 is attached to the frame member 18 by bolts 754'.

On the right hand side of the member 740, as seen in FIGURE 15, is a spacing block 768 and a guide hook 762 secured to the bracket 752 by the bolts 754. The hook 762 is disposed around and slidably receives the elongated upright bar 730.

The bar 738 has a lug 766 protruding outwardly therefrom on one side thereof for engagement with the lower one of two nibs 768 and 769 respectively opposite a latch member 770.

The member 778 has two arms 772 extending upwardly and downwardly from one side thereof, each having one nib 768 and 769. Opposite the arms 772 is a latch-hook portion 780 of the member 770 for engaging a conveyor motion arresting notch wheel 53 later described.

As best seen in FIGURE l5, the latch member 770 is pivotally mounted on the U-shaped bracket 752 by means of a bolt 784 and nut 786. The latch member 770 is provided with a push-linkage 790 pivotally disposed in a recess therein and extending outwardly from that side thereof which is opposite the hook 788. The linkage 798 is received in a socket 792 at its other end as seen in FIGURE 16.

As best seen in FIGURES 16 and 18, the socket 792 is disposed on the free end of a tension spring 794 which is secured by a screw 796 and a spacing member 797 to a vertical sliding bar 800. The latter is slidably secured to the U-shaped bracket 752.

The upper nib 768 is disposed in a position to be engaged by the upper end of the bar 728 when the latter moves upwardly, thus releasing the hook 780. The lower nib 769 is in a position for engagement with the lower eind of the lug 766 whereby downward movement of the members 720 and 730 will cause the hook 780 to engage the Vlater described notch wheel.

The position of the spring 794 can be regulated by means now to be described. The bracket 752 and the adjacent side of the frame member 18 have registering slots therethrough, as shown in dotted lines at '798' and 792 iu FIGURE 18.

A lug 799 is vertically slidable in the slots 798 and 792 and is secured to the vertically sliding har 880. The other end of the lug 799 is received in a notch 798 at one end of a pivoting adjusting lever 881. The lever 881 is pivotally secured at its center to the frame member18 by a bolt 804. By striking the lever 881 the position of the lug 799 can be moved vertically to change the position of the socket 792' The mechanism shown in FIGURES 20 to 24 relates to the safety clutch device employed on the rotary hay baler. This clutch is necessary for a number of reasons. After the hook 780 engages in the notch wheel 53 the chain cog wheel 50 will discontinue to rotate, as later described, causing the conveyor 42 to stop whereby hay or straw will not flow into the hailing belts.

However, the shaft 52, that the clutch device is secured on, always rotates, because also on that same shaft are the baling rollers which drive the Ybaling belts and these belts are moving all the time.

The clutch mechanism holds the conveyor from reversing direction and permitting hay or straw from seeping between the conveyor pick up and the ground. Another function is that the clutch mechanism will provide a safety slip in case a rock or stick gets caught in the conveyor.

As best seen in FIGURE 2l, secured on the shaft 52.' by the keys 811 are two annular cylinders 812 and 814. Also secured to the two members 812 and 814 by rivets 816 are two spring steel discs 818 and 828, respectively. Thus these spring steel discs rotate at all times. Also it will be noted that the notch wheel 53 and the chain cog 58 are permitted to rotate around the shaft 52 with a close tolerance provided.

The clutch is in two halves, one face portion 822 secured to or being an integral part of the notch wheel 53 and the other portion 824 being secured to or being an integral part of the chain cog 58. The clutch portions are similar and face portions thereof are best shown in FIGURE 24. Each clutch portion is provided with alternate surfaces 826 and high surfaces 828. Also sloping surfaces 838 and 831, respectively, are provided between high and low surfaces on each half. Also provided are stop lug surfaces 832 and 834. The surfaces 832 and 834 are disposed at a right angle to the shaft 52 and are on either side of the highest surfaces 828 of the portion 822 providing stop lugs.

The surfaces 834 join the surfaces 828 and 830 of half 822 and are of lesser depth than the surfaces 832 which latter join the surfaces 826 and 828.

The half portion 824 has surfaces 832 and 834 which are also disposed transversely with respect to the shaft 52. The surfaces 832 join surfaces 826 and 828 of half portion 824 and are of greater depth than the surfaces 834 which join surfaces 826 and 831 of half portion 824.

The inclined surfaces 831 of the half 824 join directly with the surfaces 828 of the half 824 and incline inwardly therefrom to the surfaces 834.

The inclined surfaces 838 of half 824 join directly with the surfaces 828 of the half 824 and incline inwardly therefrom to the surfaces 834.

The inclined surfaces 830 of ha-lf 822 join surfaces 834 thereof with other surfaces 835 which are parallel to the surfaces 832 and 834 of half 822 and are of lesser depth than surfaces 832 and 834. The surfaces 83S interconnect low surfaces 826 of half V822 and surfaces 830 thereof.

A cylindrical plate 836 is abutted against the outside end of the member 814 and held in place by the washer 838 and a bolt 840. 'Ihe bolt 840 has a line thread engaged with a threaded hole 841 in the shaft 52 so that the accurate adjustment may be made as later described. A space 841 exists between an inner end or boss portion 842 of the plate 836 and the shaft 52. The boss portion 824 is slidable on the shaft 52.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the latch member 770 and notch wheel 53 are there shown in a disengaged position. In this position motion is not transferred from the shaft 52 through the notch wheel 53 to the cog 50.

When formation of the bale begins, the hook 780 is in a position disengaged from the notch wheel teeth 844. The wheel 53 is then free to rotate in the direction of the arrow 844. This causes the inclined surfaces 830 of the portion 822 to engage the surfaces 831 of the portion 824. The surfaces 830 and 831 jam against each other tightly because at this point the wheel is in motion while the cog 50 is standing still.

This jamming of the surfaces 830 and 831 forces the wheels 50 and 53 apart until they press against the friction rings 845 which in turn press against the disks 818 and 820. While space is seen between the surfaces 830 and 831 in FIGURE 21 yet these surfaces are engaged and wedge against each other when the notch wheel 53 is held back by the hook 780.

Motion is thus transferred from the shaft 52, through the disk 810, through the friction ring v845 to the notch wheel 53 and from the notch wheel surface 830 to the cog surface 831.

When the bale reaches a desired size, the hook 780 engages the notch wheel 53 as previously described. This arrests motion of the wheel 53 while the cog 50 still rotates in the direction of the arrow 344. `This separates the surfaces 330 and S31 whereby the wheels 50 and 53 are permitted to move towards each other as the lugs 828 sink into the deepest parts of the clutch portion 824.

When the wheels 50 and 53 come closer to each other, the wheel 53 disengages the friction ring 845 and ceases to receive motion from the disk member 818. The conveyor then stops, as is desired, and unwanted hay is not delivered to the rolls.

The clutch can be adjusted by turning the set screw 340. The latter holds the clutch portion 824 closerto or farther from the clutch portion 822.

Means are provided by this invention for severing the wrapping twine at the end of wrapping motion of string tubes 150. Such means includes a string cutting member 900, best seen in FIG. 13.

The member 900 is preferably formed in two portions 902 and 904. Each of the latter have a cutting edge 906 and 908 respectively. The edges 906 and 900 are inclinedly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of each string transversely of itself and are also iuclinedly disposed with respect to the direction of longitudinal movement of the strings. It was previously described that the string each moved longitudinally of itself during wrapping.

Those forward points 912 on the cutting edges which are rst engaged by the strings during wrapping are disposed less far in the direction of longitudinal motion of the string than those portions of the cutting edges which are subsequently engaged -by the string before breakage of the string.

rThose points 912 on said edges which are rst engaged by the string are disposed farther in the direction of transverse motion of each respective string than those portions of each cutting edge which are subsequently engaged by the strings before breakage thereof.

The above paragraphs have defined the cutting edges in relation to the string. In relation to the frame of the machine the cutting edges 906 and 90S are inclined upwardly and rearwardly and are secured to an inverted T shaped member 920 which is itself secured to a frame member 922 of the machine.

The upper end of the member 920 has a rearwardly projecting ear 926, through which latter a shaft 930 is rotatably disposed. The shaft 930 is secured to the ear 926 by a cotter pin 932. The shaft 930 is horizontally disposed a-nd has an annular end portion 940 of a cutting edge cover member 942 secured thereto.

The member 942 is provided with an outwardly and rearwardly extending portion 946 having outwardly and rearwardly inclined edges complementally shaped with respect to the cutting edges 906 and 908. The construction is such that at times when the cover member is in a down position the string will be held away from the edges 906 and 908 by the overlapping of the larger cover portion 946. At times when the shaft 930 is rotated the cover will raise, permitting the strings to engage and be cut by the cutting edges 906 and 908.

The shaft 930 extends transversely of the machine and is rotatably mounted thereon by means of bearing block 950 and ear 925 as seen in FIGURES l and 2. On the outer side of the block 950 the shaft is provided with an ofset portion 952 which latter is disposed between the arms of a bifurcated tting 958. The latter is best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5. The fitting 958 is secured by means of a set screw 960 to a vertical bar 970.

The bar 970 is provided with a seat engaging lug 980 at its upper end which latter is secured to the bar 970 and extends outwardly therefrom in a transverse direction thereto. The uppermost end of the bar 970 is provided with a bearing sleeve 982 disposed thereon and secured thereto between two threadedly mounted nuts 904. Between the nuts 984 and the sleeve 982 are two stop washers 986. An apertured ear 990 is slidably disposed aroundthe sleeve 982. The ear 990 is rigidly secured to the member 560.

As best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, a spring 1000 is disposed secured to the member 560 by a bolt 1002 and is also secured to the seat member 930 adjacent the rod 970 by means of a bolt 1004.

The spring 1000 holds the seat 930 in its notch 1008, best seen in FIGURE 5 partially in dotted lines, the notch 1003 being in a seat member 1010, the latter being best seen in FIGURE 4. The seat member 1010 is secured to the rack bar 350 by the bolt 352. T he bolt 352 has a sleeve 1011 around it and between the bolt 352 and the seat 1010 and the lever 300 which is also secured to the rack bar 350 by the bolt 352.

The lowermost end of the bar 970 is provided with a transversely disposed portion 1020, best seen in FIGURE 17 The portion 1020 is provided with a flattened upper end surface 1022 for the purpose of being engaged by a catch 1028, which latter is pivotally secured by means of a bolt 1030 to the sliding bar 730 at a point on the bar 730 disposed above the lug 766.

As best seen in FIGURE 16, the catch 1020 has a large hole 1032 therethrough at its lower end. The purpose of the hole 2.032 is to receive a much smaller diametered pin 1034 anchored in the sliding bar 730.

As thus described the catch 1028 is adapted to pivot slightly and sufficiently for a lower corner to strike the flat surface 1022 of the rod 970. The hole 1032 is sutilciently large to also permit the catch 1023 to move within the adjacent plane of the sliding bar 1020, at times, so that when the bar 730 moves upwardly the catch 1020 will strike the lower side of the bar portion 1020, move toward the sliding bar 730, and permit upward movement of the bar 730.

The lower end of the bar 970 is slidably mounted in a bracket 1040 as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 16.

As best seen in FEGURE 4 lug 1030' is secured to the rack bar 350 adjacent its upper end, The lug 1030 is adapted to engage the underside of a tripping ever 1032 and to raise one end of the lever upward. The other end of the lever is pivotally secured at 1034 to a vertically extending frame member 1036.

A vertically extending bar 1038 is pivotally secured at 1040 to the tripping lever 1032' between the lug engaging end thereof and the pivot point 1034.

The bar 1038 is the equivalent of the reach rod 77 in the Patent No. 2,096,990 and so as explained in that patent, when the reach rod 77 (and in this machine number 1033) is raised upwardly it sets off a mechanism, not shown, to release the bale from the baling belts. The opposite end of the lever 1032 extends outwardly, as best seen in FIGURE l, to provide means whereby the operator can use his hand to manually trip the bale releasing mechanism.

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 9, the machine is provided with a bar 1050 which forms a part of the frame thereof. The bar 1050 extends transversely of the frame rearwardly of the swinging twine tubes 150. Another bar 1054 is provided spaced apart from a bar 1050 and ldisposed on the opposite side of the twine tube from the bar 1050.

The bar 1054 is provided with offset end portions 1056 which attach it to the frame bar 1050. At the center of the bar 1054 the bar is provided with an offset arcuate portion, as best seen at the center of the lower sie of FIGURE 9, extending outwardly around the cutting knife mechanism previously described.

The ends of the bar 1054 hold the'string tube 150 from 'swinging too far outwardly. The bar 1054 also -serves as support for shield means now t be described.

A shield 1060 extends transversely across the machine and is secured behind the bar 1054. The shield 1060 extends downwardly on the rearward side of and closely adjacent to the feed roller 130. The purpose of the shield 1060 is to prevent twine from the tubes from becoming entangled with the lfeed roller 130.

An upwardly extending guard 1062 is secured to the front side of the bar 1054 and is provided with an arcuate center portion curved in similar manner to the bar 1054. The upwardly extending guard 1062 is best seen in FIG- URE 1 and is for the dual purpose of preventing wrapping twine from becoming entangled with the feed roller 130 and for preventing hay from the conveyor 40 from becoming entangled with the baling belts 90 and associated parts.

Ony the rearward side of the bar 1050 a shield 1064 is provided. The shield 1064 hangs downward in front of the roller 98 above the feed throat of the machine. It is for the purpose of preventing hay from catching on the roller 98 and from traveling upwardly with the belts 92.

A summary of the operation of the new parts of the baler will now be given, particular reference being had to FIGURES 1 and 2. When hay enters a baler from .the conveyor 40 it is compressed by the feed roller 130.

The hay then passes to the feed throat of the machine, that is, between the rollers 48 and 98. The baling belts 70 and 90 gradually spread apart permitting the hay to Vbe rolled into a large bale S4, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE l. When the bale 84 has reached a predetermined maximum diameter the member 710, Vas shown in FIGURE 1, will pivot in counterclockwise directions Awhereby the connector bar 710 pulls downwardly on the upright member 720 and downwardly upon the sliding bar 730 which is attached to the upright member 720.

It is to be mentioned that the cotter pin 724 is pivotally secured into any one of the apertures 734 in accordance with the material being baled. The cotter pin is set once and is usually left that way. For instance, when alfalfa is being baled the cotter pin will be in one aperture while for hay it would probably require a different aperture.

The changingY of the position of the cotter pin 724 alters the distance between the lugs 766 and 769. Thus the time lapse before contact is made between these lugs is changeable, and therefore the size of the bales is adjustable and changeable.

The lug 766 on the sliding bar 730 then comes into contact with the lower pin 769 of the latch mechanism 770. Upon such contact the latch member 770 is caused to rotate and the hook 780 engages the notch wheel 53, thus stopping the conveyor and preventing any more hay from entering the feed throat.

At the time the lug 766 engages the pin 769 the catch 1023 strikes the lower end 1020 of the bar 970 causing the bar 970 to rotate and unseat the lug 980. The rack bar 350 is then free to drop and does s0.

It should be mentioned that the catch 1023 is purposely spaced apart from the lower end 1020 ofthe bar 970, as best seen in FIGURES 16 and 17, to provide a time lapse. This time lapse permits any interwoven hay on the conveyor to enter the baling belts before the string starts to bind the bale.

Notice also that the hook 780 engages the notch wheel 53 4before the catch 1028 strikes the bar 970. Thus the downward movement of the bar 730, FIGURE 16, is dependent on hay entering the feeding throat and is not dependent upon the conveyor.

`In other words, the conveyor may stop, but due to interwoven hay Ybeingpulled in even after the conveyor "stops,"the` bale still grows and the bar 730 still continues to move downwardly,`thus :permitting the catch 1028 to come in contact with the bar 970.

It will be seen that striking the adjustment member 801 with a hammer will raise and lower the sliding bar 780, top of FIGURE 18, and thus adjust the center line of the spring wire 790, the said center line being seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 18 at 1091.

` During the action described in the above iive paragraphs the friction clutch shown in FIGURES 20 to 24, prevents the conveyor from running in an opposite direction.

In the above sequence when the lug 980 is unseated the spring 1000 pulls upwardly on the rod 970. This upward movement of the rod 970 causes the bifurcated itting S to push upwardly on the oiset portion 952 of vthe rod 930.

As best seen 'in FIGURE 13, the rotation of the rod or shaft 930 will cause the cover portion 942 of the knife mechanism to swing upwardly at its outer end permitting the twine to engage the cutting edges of the knife blade.

It will be seen that the bifurcated fitting 958 fits loosely about the offset portion 952 of the shaft 930. This is so that the falling of the rod 970 will have a delaying effect upon the shaft 930. This delay will permit the twine to wrap around the bale several times in the same vertical plane whereby the twine has a chance to bind upon itself for tying the bale before the twine cutting mechanism goes into operation.

The dropping of the rack bar 350 permits the string tubes to drop downwardly and outwardly whereby the screw 430, best seen in FIGURE 10, bumps the lever 470. This pulls downwardly on the spring 460, which latter,

as best seen `in FIGURE 4, pulls downwardly the lever 420 permitting the lock lever 500 to fall into place against the bolt 506. This holds the lever 420 downwardly at one end, its other end holding upwardly the rack bar carrying member 380.

When the carrying member 380 is held upwardly the sides of the inclined slot 400 thereof engage the bolt 402 forcing the carrying member 330 toward the cog 390 and maintaining the rackbar 350 in engagement with the 4 cog 390.

The turning of the cog causes the rack bar to move upwardly causing the simultaneous upward swinging of the twine tubes 150. The operation of the fulcrum mechanism, including the fitting 310, bolts 312, and notches 320 will now be explained.

The placement of the fitting 310 so that the upper bolt 312 is in a desired one of the notches 320 will determine the amount of string that is to be wound on a bale. Also the action of the fulcrum mechanism provides a means of winding the twine a few times in the same vertical plane at the start of wrapping whereby the string binds on itself so as not to come loose.

The string tubes 150 will continue to rise until the lever 300 forces the ramming member 520 upwardly, the ramming member 520 striking the pin 540 causing the lock lever 500 to disengage the bolt 506. It will be seen that the bolt 524 which secures the ramming member 520 is disposed in an elongated slot, theslength of the slot permitting the ramming member to move upwardly against the pin 540.

The raising lever 420 is then permitted to rotate clockwisev as shown in FIGURE 4, whereby the rack bar carrying member 380 will drop backwardly away from the rack bar 350 as it drops downwardly, this being caused by the inclined-side of the slot 400. When the lever 300 moves upwardly the seat piece 1010 moves with it.

As seen in FIGURE 4, the lock lever 500 holds the left hand end of the lever 420 downward. This pulls upwardly on the right hand end of the lever 420, raising the rack bar carrying member 380.

Because of the inclined walls of the slot 400 in the rack bar carrying member 380, the carrying member 13 330 moves toward the pinion 390 holding the rack bar 359 in engagement therewith.

The pinion 39) rotates in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 4 causing the right hand end of the lever 366, as the latter is seen in FIGURE 2, to raise. This in turn causes upward movement of the string tubes 150.

When the rack bar 359 reaches the upper end of its travel, the lug 163@ will strike the tripping lever 1G32, as best seen in GURE 4, this pulls upwardly on a downwardly extending bar 1938 which, as before exlained, sets o a mechanism, not shown, which releases the bale from the baling belt, causing the bale to be squeezed outwardly of the machine to the right as seen in FIGURE l.

As the bale is discharged the member 726 moves upwardly, striking the lug 769 for causing the disengagement of the hook 786 from the notch wheel 5S.

When the hook releases the notch wheel 53 the conveyor starts and the process of baling is repeated in an identical manner.

As best seen in FiGURE 3, the string tubes are each provided with a slot i636 longitudinally disposed along the upper sides thereof, only one of the slots being shown in FIGURE 3. The slots are for the purpose of making it easier for the operator to place the twin into the tube. Each tube is substantially of an oval shape but is provided with a iiat inner surface w82 on its lower side whereby the twine is not worn as much during travel through the tubes as would otherwise be the case.

This invention has provided certain improvements in rotary hay baling machines, which make possible: the elimination of uncertain catching of the twine in the hay; the elimination of the trouble which formerly resulted from the wind blowing the wrapping twine out of position; more speedy wrapping of the bale; less close attention and manual operation by the operator; greater simplicity; a more tightly and uniformed wrapped bale; increased baler capacity; more certain stopping of the conveyor after wrapping has been started; and, on the whole, a baler which will be less troublesome to operate and easier to sell.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a rotary baler improvement constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly Well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotary baler of the type described: a twine wrapping means having movable twine guides for the guiding of two twines during automatic wrapping of said two twines simultaneously about a bale of predetermined size, said bales having guiding means guiding said twines in paths from opposite ends of the bale to the center thereof lrespectively for wrapping the bale; two knives forming a V, one with the other, each knife being rigidly secured to the machine adjacent the center of the bale, each edge being in the said path of a different wrapping twine; a swingable V-shaped guard piece disposed above the knives; and means to cause said guard piece to swing into guarding position to prevent the premature cutting of the string; and means for causing the removal for said guard to permit the twines to contact the knives for the simultaneous severing of both strings when the twines have reached approximately the center of said bale at the completion of wrapping.

2. ln a rotary bailer having a bale-forming mechanism adapted to form a cylindrical bale by gradually increasing its diameter: movable twine guides for wrapping the twine about the bale; a rotating pinion; a movable elongated rack bar adapted to engage said pinion and to be moved thereby in one direction longitudinally of said rack bar, connecting means operably connecting said rack bar and said twine guides such that when said rack bar is moved in said direction, said twine guides return to their original positions; a guide member for said rack, said guide member having a movement transversely of Said rack so that when moved in one direction it causes said rack to be in mesh with said pinion and so that when moved in an opposite direction it causes the disengagement of said rack from said pinion; means for causing said twine guides to move from original rest positions to initial wrapping positions when the bale in said machine has reached a predetermined diameter; means responsive to the movement of the twine guides to said initial wrapping positions for moving said guide member into position for causing meshing of said rack and pinion and movement of said rack bar in said one direction to cause said connecting means to return said twine guides to their original positions; automatic means for locking said rack in said meshed position with Said pinion during said return movement of said guide; and automatic means for unlocking said locking means and causing disengagement of said rack from said pinion when said Wrapping is completed.

3. In a rotary baling machine having means for rotating a bale about an approximately horizontal axis and having a part automatically movable to a certain position responsive to the growth of a bale of material to a predetermined size, the following: two string guide members having string inlet ends and outlet ends; means for delivering string to said inlet ends; means movably mounting said string guides on the machine in a manner permitting movement of said outlet ends toward each other across a bale to be wrapped, said outlet ends moving respectively from the outer ends of the bale to the center of the bale during wrapping of said strings about t re bale; and means for causing said tubes to simultaneously define said movement in response to and following movement of said part to said certain position.

4. ln a rotary bailer for rolling material into a cylindrical bale having upper and lower drive rollers spaced apart to provide a feeding throat, an automatic bale wrapping mechanism having: a feed roller spaced from the upper drive roller in front of said throat; a pair of swingable twine guides normally disposed at rest above the center of said throat with an end of a twine dangling from each; means for the simultaneous swinging movement of said twine guides in opposite directions; means responsive to the growth of the bale to a predetermined diameter to release said guides to freely swing downwardly and outwardly into said space between said feed roller and said upper drive roller for reaching initial wrapping positions adjacent the ends of the bale for dropping said dangling twine ends on the inmoving material for the initial wrapping of the bale ends; twine guide driving means; means responsive to the movement of said guides to said initial wrapping positions for the operative connection of said twine guides with said guide driving means for the return movement of said twine guides to their original central positions for the spiral wrapping of said twine on the bale from each end to the center thereof; means for disconnecting said guides from said guide driving means; and means for severing the strings upon the completion of wrapping.

5. In a rotary baling machine having a part movable to a certain position responsive to the growth of a bale of material to a predetermined size, the following: at least two string guides having outlet ends and having normal rest positions; means mounting said guides on said machine in a manner for movement of each of said outlet ends across a bale to be wrapped in two opposite directions generally parallel to the axis of the bale; means for causing said guides each respectively to define said movement in one direction in response to movement of said part to said certain position; actuatable means for causing said guides to each move back across said bale in the respective opposite direction; means responsive to movement of said guides in said one direction to a certain point for actuating said actuatable means; releasable lock means for maintaining said actuatable means in operation until said guides have returned to their said normal positions; and trip means for releasing said lock means when said guides have reached their normal positions.

6. In a rotary baling machine of the type described having a driving movable part and a horizontally elongated feeding throat receiving in-going hay: an automatic bale wrapping mechanism defining at times a cylindrical bale wrapping area disposed inwardly of and adjacent to said throat and said bale wrapping area having a horizontal axis, said automatic bale wrapping mechanism having two twine guiding tubes swingably mounted adjacent their upper ends on a frame member of the machine at positions above the sides of the feeding throat; means normally maintaining the free ends of said tubes at rest and seated above approximately the longitudinal center of the throat with ends of the twine dangling from the free end of each tube and further connecting said two tubes for simultaneous swinging movement of both of said tubes in planes parallel to said axis in opposite directions; means automatically responsive to the diametrical growth of the bale to a predetermined diameter to release said tubes for the ends to freely swing outwardly and downwardly to outer positions at the outer sides of the feeding throat adjacent the ends of the bale dropping the dangling ends of the strings on the in-going hay for the initial wrapping of the bale; means automatically responsive to the reaching of said outer positions by said tubes for causing immediate operable engagement of the wrapping mechanism with said driving part of the machine for the return of the twine guiding tubes to their original upper positions for the spiral wrapping of the bale l from the ends to the center thereof; automatic means for disengagement of the wrappingV mechanism from said driving part and seating of the mechanism in its original position of rest when the wrapping is completed; and

`means for simultaneously severing the strings on said return trip of said tubes adjacent the longitudinal center of said bale.

7. The rotary baling machine of claim 6 in which said severing means comprises: two knives having edges form- -ing a V one with the other, said knives being rigidly secured to the baler adjacent the horizontal Vcenter 'of the said feeding throat, each of said edges being in the transverse path of a different Wrapping twine; a swingable V- Shaped gua-rd piece disposed abovegthe knives; and means to cause said guard piece to swinginto guarding position to prevent the premature cutting of the string; and means responsive to the seating of said guidesV for causing the removal of said guard to permit the twines to contact the knife edges for the simultaneous severing of both strings when the twines have reached approximately the center of said bale at the completion of wrapping.`

8. In a lrotary baler having a moving part means: two string guides having outlet ends, means movably mounting said string guides on said baler for permitting the outlet ends of said guides to move across a bale in opposite directions for the spiral wrapping of said bale each from a different end of the bale toward its center, and

Ameans operably connected to said moving part means and Vdrivably connected to said string guides for so moving said guides simultaneously.

References Cited in thele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 810,521 Cagle Ian. 23, 1906 2,410,159 Harrer et al Oct. 29, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 41,392 Germany Oct. 27, 1887 

